Critical Race Theory: An Introduction

Short Thoughts: Critical Race Theory is not really one things, but a general framework. That frameworks is describe in this book as having 12 components. So it is not particularly easy to describe what it it. The approach of the book is to walk through the history, the components of what has made up Critical Race Theory. There is also a discussion of the critiques of CRT and a discussion of the possible future changes and challenges of CRT.

There are certainly aspects of CRT that I cannot agree with. But I am not at all dismissive of CRT nor do I think it is an overall unhelpful approach. I think the paired concepts of intersectionality and privilege are very helpful. I think the bias toward storytelling and assumptions of white supremacy, regardless of intentions together are necessary to empower those that have been disempowered and to counter the history of oppression in the US.

CRT is a critical approach. I think that is necessary at this point. At some point, I think there will need to be more constructive approaches to create systems that are designed to be affirmatively anti-oppression, but we are certainly not at that place yet.

Overall, as I hear people dismiss CRT or demonize it, it seems clearly that most are not actually familiar with the real concepts of CRT and are just using it as a proxy for things they disagree with, (ie calling people cultural marxists.)

My longer thoughts are on my blog at http://bookwi.se/critical-race-theory/